A List Of The Most Harmful Chemicals To Avoid While Buying A Cold Cream/Moisturizer!

Cold cream is accepted as one of the oldest and yet most effective skin care lotions. The main ingredients in cold cream are oil and water – the water in the cream hydrates the skin while the oil in it traps the moisture in, while simultaneously protecting your skin from dust and pollution.

However, modern cold cream lotions contain a lot more than just oil and water, which is why you need to be careful when choosing cold cream. Here’s what you need to keep an eye out for when you go to the store to buy cold cream.

Ingredients In Cold Cream That You Should Avoid

When it was first invented, cold cream contained just 4 basic ingredients – olive oil, beeswax, water, and rose water, but today a jar of cold cream can contain over 40 different ingredients, most of which are synthetic chemical compounds. These are the ingredients that should NOT be on the label of your cold cream jar.

1. Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is one of the most common ingredients in cosmetics as it is a very cheap lubricant. However, after several scientific studies, scientists have expressed concern regarding the use of mineral oil in cosmetics as it contains mineral oil hydrocarbons, which are the greatest contaminant of the human body.

Furthermore, mineral oil is classified as comedogenic, which means that it is likely to cause acne outbreaks, especially in cases where the person has sensitive acne-prone skin. If mineral oil is listed as the first or second ingredient on the label of a cold cream jar, it means that it is one of the main ingredients, and you would do well to move on to another product.

2. Sodium Borate

Sodium borate is added to cold cream to prevent bacteria and fungus from growing on the cream. However, the reason it prevents bacterial growth is because it is very alkaline in nature and this property is unfortunately also linked to skin irritation.

Furthermore, some research indicates that sodium borate could be linked to reproductive problems, but it is not known how strong the link is or what level of exposure would be considered safe.

Other common ingredients in cold cream that you should avoid include Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and parabens, as these can cause skin irritation.

Ingredients In Cold Cream That You Should Look For

Not all chemical compounds are bad for skin health; in fact, there are several chemicals that can help to get rid of wrinkles and discoloration and give you a smoother complexion. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for in cold cream.

AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHA (beta hydroxy acids)

AHAs and BHAs are mild exfoliants that reduce wrinkles and give the skin a smoother appearance. These organic acids also improve skin cell production and increase collagen production, which results in clear and supple skin. If you have acne-prone skin, you should look for a cold cream that contains BHAs as they help to reduce skin irritation.

Ceramides

Ceramides are a type of fatty acid molecule and they make up about 20% of our skin. They play a very important role as they hold skin cells together. Any type of skin damage will cause a decrease in the amount of ceramides in the skin and this makes the skin prone to flaking, hyperpigmentation, and other common problems.

A cold cream that contains ceramides can replenish your skin’s levels of ceramides and thus revitalize and rejuvenate your skin. Studies show that a cold cream containing ceramides is especially effective for those who are undergoing acne treatments.

In addition to these ingredients, you can also look for a cold cream that contains skin healthy vitamins such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and B vitamins. These vitamins have been proven to be very effective in improving skin tone and so your cold cream will keep your skin healthy and moisturized throughout this winter season.

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TheHealthOrange Editorial Team curates genuine health advice covering all aspects of holistic living, with painstaking effort to ensure that only the best content is published on the platform for your consumption.